Today's aircraft equipment comprise several independent warning and hazard avoidance systems like GPWS, TCAS or weather radar. It is the pilot's task to monitor all these systems and take the appropriate action in case of an emerging hazardous situation.The developed method for detecting and avoiding flight hazards combines all potential external threats for an aircraft into a single system. It is based on an aircraft surrounding airspace model consisting of discrete volume elements. For each element of the volume the threat probability is derived or computed from sensor output, databases, or information provided via datalink. The position of the own aircraft is predicted by utilising a probability distribution. This approach ensures that all potential positions of the aircraft within the near future are considered while weighting the most likely flight path. A conflict detection algorithm initiates an alarm in case the threat probability exceeds a threshold. An escape manoeuvre is generated taking into account all potential hazards in the vicinity, not only the one which caused the alarm. The pilot gets a visual information about the type, the location, and severeness of the threat.The algorithm was implemented and tested in a flight simulator environment. The current version comprises traffic, terrain and obstacle hazards avoidance functions. Its general formulation allows an easy integration of e.g. weather information or airspace restrictions.
A perspective primaiy flight and a navigation display format were evaluated in a flying testbed. The flight tests comprised ItS-and standard approaches as well as low level operations utilising the depiction of a spatial channel, and demonstrations of the inherent ground proximity warning function. In the cockpit of the VFW614, the left seat was equipped with a sidestick and a flat panel display, which showed both the 4D-Display and the Navigation Display format.Airline and airforce pilots flew several missions each. Although most ofthe pilots criticized that a typical Flight Director commanding the aircraft's attitude was missing, they could follow the channel precisely. However, some airline pilots stated a lack of vertical guidance information during the final approach. Leaving and re-entering the channel could be easily accomplished from any direction. In summary pilots' assessment of the display concept yielded an overall improvement of SA. In particular it was stated that displays are an appropriate means to avoid CFIT accidents.With the first prototypes of 3D-graphics generators designed for avionics available the flight evaluation will continue including feasibility demonstrations ofhigh-performance graphics for civil and military aircraft applications.
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